Dolly Parton Raised $9 Million for Tennessee Wildfire Victims

Dolly Parton wasn’t kidding when she said her Smoky Mountains Rise telethon to benefit the victims of the Tennessee wildfires raised millions of dollars this week. The donations are still being counted, and the tally is already at a staggering $9 million.

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, their talent, and money for My People,” Parton said in a statement. “The response has been so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to count all of the donations yet; right now, in total, we have raised about $9 million for the folks who lost everything in Sevier County.”

Parton founded the “My People Fund” in early December after wildfires tore through the Great Smoky Mountains, killing 14 people and destroying 2,400 homes and businesses. With it, Parton has pledged to donate $1,000 a month to Sevier County families who lost their homes.

“I know it has been a trying time for my people and this assistance will help get them back on their feet,” she said in a video announcing the fund.